Trailer coupling



July 29, 1941. q, R, THQRP 2,250,661

TRAILER COUPLING Filed Sept. 1, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 29 I 4 Y INVENTORS I H! 42 5.12115 7 7 7 &

.of our invention are as follows:

Patented July 29,1941 we p 2,250,651

UNITED STAT it 2,250,661 p r TRAILER coUP'LiNG; ,f H Joel E. Thorp and Steen StranIL'WeSt Allis, Wis.,fl "assignors to The Fulton Gornpanyywest Allis; Wis., acorporation of Wisconsin. g Application sieptember 1, 1939, Serial N 2 93,004 v v 4 7 Claiins- (01; 280 -3345) a p Our-present invention relates generally :to imj .Fig. :1" isatop view of, one oi the improved jaw provements in couplings for interconnectingve type couplingsembodying our improved locking" hicles, anderelatesmore specifically to various latch;,

improvements in the constructionand operation a Fig. 2 i sa'central vertical longitudinal section of so-called trailer couplings for detachably con- 5. throu h: the jawcoupling. of Fig, 1;v f necting a trailer to an automobile or the like. Figga is?) bottom view of the jaw coupling. of One of the more important objects of our'pres- S- 1 d f j T 7 I v w entinvention is to "provide an improvedflvehicle Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectionthrough t e im coupling which is simple in construction, highly proved jaw coupling', the sectionbeing taken. efl'icient inuse, and which may be readilyconalong theirregularline 4-4 of Fig. 2; nected or disconnected.- v a Fig. 5 is another horizontal section Some of the more important specific objects e jaw up e sec ionbeing taken along the irregularline 5.-v-5 of Fig-2;

To provide a new and useful quickly detachable 6 is a transverse vertical section through through trailer coupling, which is efiectively locked in e ja vco p rl enl a ong the line 6+6 of normal draft or hauling position. v To provide an improved vehicle coupling lock i isia, 1 D E 0f nQt r type of our imwhich will insure safe interconnection 'of -two prov c p g pr v d w t he new loc in vehicles, but which maybe'conveniently released latch;

to permit rapid disconnecting without utilizing. -Fig;.8is a centralio lidi alve tical section special tools. r v through thecoupling of Fig.i 7,. showing' the imlTo provide an improved manually manipulable .P Q Y kicking latch efie tive i n; I spring latch for effectively retaining the parts of i 9 S 21 Similar sction through. a fra e t a trailer couplingior the like in properly adjusted 0f the p n 0 8,,ShQWing the locking relation to each other without danger of having 25 latch f lfi d such parts accidentally disassociated'due to jar- Fig 10 is a transverse: ver ical section throu ring and jolting. 3

. To provide an improved vehicle coupling of the line lthe coupling of Fig. S taken along the irregular. I

ball and-socket type, which is durablein con- Although our 'invention hajs beenshown and struction and dependable in normal use. a described here in asl,being' specifically embodied-in v To provide. an improved automobile trailer O Y-tWQ YD S f niversal; automobile trailer coupling. assemblage which may be quickly and 0up1i s,. t;is not our desire or intent to 1m,

conveniently applied to automobile bumpers of necessarily vrestrict thescope or utilityofthe various types, and likewise detached therefrom. provement by virtue of 'such ,restricteddi j:

' To provide a simple and sturdy jaw coupling closure.

especially, adapted for attachment to an autoeReferring'sp fi a y to Figs. 1 to )6 inclusive mobile bumper or the like, and which will not subof t drawings, the i pro d j w type of ve-' ject the traction or thetrailing vehicle .to exceshicle coupling shown therein comprises in gen}. v sive stress or to objectionable thrust. v eral a rear bracket member I! formed for rigid To provide various improvements in the con- 40 attachment.to a trailer draft bar 15, with the.

struction and operation of automobile trailer aid of looltselli, andhaving therein a spherical couplings, whereby the cost of constructionis zone surface oropen socket l'|;a ballEor. sphericalminimized, while the efiiciencyu thereof is enelement [8 normally movably confinedwithin'the hanced to a maximum. socket ll-by a-retaine'r plate [9 and a spring 20 These and otherobjects and advantagesof our and-bolt 2| coacting' with the plate [9; a bolt 22 present improvement, will be apparent fromthe piercing and snugly engagedby the ball elementfollowing detailed description. 9' l8; a.jawgmemberli havingintegral rearex- Aclear conception of-the several features contensions 24 withlvlhich the bolt 22 coact sg land stituting our presentimprovemenh and -of. the j l o h ving aniintggral front D1 6 l w1 5 and a; modejof constructing'and-of utilizing several types vertical guide groove-26 beneath the ja 25;; 5,, of trailer couplings embodying our invention-, 'movable jaw member 21 slidably confined within may be had; by referring to -the drawings ,acu the groove .26 and having anintegral lower jaw companying and forming apart-ofthis specificaa threaded l justing bolt or rod1-29 havtion wherein like reference charactersdes'ignate 5 ng a screw threaded shank coop rablefiwithia the same or similar parts in the various views. threaded opening in the jaw member 21; af-ma f latch portion 34 is engaging the teeth 32, and the I latch 33 will then click over the crests of the sucstand the' loads to which it may be subjected, and the "socket |1 should be dressed so as to per mit free swivelling of the ball element |8 therein. The plate [9 has its forward end shaped to conform with the spherical; element I8 and .has

its rear end rounded to rock-uponthe adjacent inclined surface 35 of the member l4, as shown in Fig. 2. The spring which coacts with the plate l9 and with the nut of the bolt 2|, serves to resiliently retain the ball element'l8 'within the socket I1 and also prevents the nut from being dislodged from the bolt 2| due to jarring. The ball element l8 whichsnugly embraces the bolt 22 is approximately spherical in shape and is spaced from the jaw member extensions 24 by means of collars 36 also snugly encircling the bolt 22. The bolt 22 is normallyclamped in position by means of a nut and spring lock washer 31, and when this nut and washer 31 are removed, the bolt 22 may be withdrawn to permit free removal of the ball element spacing collars 36.

The jaw member 23 with its extensions 24; jaw v25 and lower grooved' portion, is preferably formed as a single durable piece of metalfand the lower jaw member 21 is likewise of durable construction and has opposite elongated side rails 38 which are freely slidable inthe grooves 26. The cooperating fixed and movable jaws 25, 28 are adapted to firmly engage various sizes, shapes andstyles of automobile bumpers-39, 39', 39" as shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2. The hand wheel 38 whichis attached to the upper headed end 3| of the rod 29 by means of distortable tongues 40, serves to rotate the threaded rod 29 so asto permit firm clamping of the jaws 25, 28 to a bumper, or release of the coupling jaws 25, 26 therefrom.

The manually operable locking latch 33- may be formed of relatively heavy sheet metal, and has a hub portion 4| which encirclesfthe rod 29 and is confined within 'a pocket 42 formed inthe upper portion of the jaw member 23. A helical compression spring" located within the pocket 42, has its upper end seated against the latch hub portion 4| while its lower end reacts against opposite side flanges 44 formed on the member 23, see Figs. 2, 4 and 5. The locking portion 34 of the latch 33 is disposed between the hub portion 4| and the handle, and is freely vertically movable within a slot 45 in the member 23; and by pressing upon the handle of the latch 33 the spring 43 will be compressed and the locking portion 34 will be withdrawn from the notches o'r teeth 32 of the hand wheel thereby-permitting free rotation of the latter for purposes of adjusting the-lower Jaw member 21. When the pressure on the handle of; the latch 33 is released, the spring 43 will become quickly effective to cause the locking portion-34 to engage one i8 and of'the I of the teeth 32, thereby positively preventing rotation of the hand wheel 38 in the direction which causes movement of the jaw28 away from the jaw25. The hand'wheel 38 may however be rotated in the opposite direction even when the the socket 41; The bolt 52 cessive teeth 32 until the jaws 25, 28 assume a vise-like grip upon the intervening bumper 39.

During normal use of the improved jaw type of coupling shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, and assuming the same to havev been properly constructed, assembled and attached to a draft bar I5 and bumper 39, the jaws 25, 28 will firmly grip the bumper, and the lockinglatch 33 will positively prevent release of this grip during normal haulage of the trailer. The ball and socket connection between the jaw member 23 and the member 14, which is afforded by the spherical element l8 coacting' with the socket |1, will permit the draft bar |5 to swing universally or in any direction relative to the bumper 39. The lock washer 31 will prevent loosening of the bolt 22, and the spring 20 will likewise prevent loosening of the bolt 2| while at the same time retaining the plate l9 pressed resiliently against theball element l8. The jaws 25, 28 may obviously b'e'firmly clamped to bumpers 39, 39', 39" of various sizes and shapes, and all parts of this improved jaw coupling assemblage may be readily removed or reassembled.

Referring specifically to the modified type of vehicle coupling shown in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, this assemblage comprises in general a main coupling member 46-having a downwardly open spherical front socket 41 and a rear shank formed for attachment to a trailer draft bar 46 by means of bolts 49; a ball member-or spherical element 58 cooperable-with'the socket 41 and being attachable to the tongue 5| of a pulling vehicle'by means of a bolt 52 snugly penetrating the element 58; a retainer plate 53 having a curved front surface cooperable with the ball member and a rear headed end 54 cooperable with an inclined surface 55 of the member 46; a threaded rod or bolt 56 penetrating the member 46 and plate 53 and having a nut 51 cooperable therewith tohold the plate 53 in ball retaining position; a helical compression spring 58cmbracing the shank of the bolt 56 and having an end engaging the plate 53; a hand wheel 51 having a polygonal socket 68 for receiving the, head of the bolt 56, and also having a series of radial serrations or teeth 6| at its bottom; and'a manually manipulable locking latch 62 having a locking portion 63 cooperable with the teeth 6| and also having a hub 64 embracing the bolt 56 and with which theopposite end of the spring 58 coacts. 2

The main coupling member 46 is preferably reinforced'by ribs in order to provide a durable pulling element, and the socket 41. should be dressed to permit free swivelling of the ball member 50 therein. The front curved surface of the retainer plate 53 shouldbe shaped to conform with the ball surface, and the headed end 54 of the plate 53: may. slide along and rock upon the inclined surface 55 sons to permit the ball to freely'oscillate'within' the spherical socket 41. The spring 58 which meets with the plate 53, serves to resiliently confine the ball within the socket 41, and also prevents-the nut 51 from becoming dislodged. The ball member 50'snugly fits the bolt 52, and this bolt has a head 65 provided with a spherical zone surface also fitting may be clamped to the draw bar 5| by means of a nut and lock washer 66, and the ball member 58 may be readily removed from the socket 41 by merely turning coupling bolt 56 to release the nut 51, 5 thereby permitting removal of the plate 53 and ball. I'henut 51 is fitted within a. recess 61 in the lower portion of the plate 53 so that it cannot rotate relativeto thisplate, and. must be removed by rotation of the bolt 56. a g

The hand wheel 59 which coacts with the head of the bolt 56 may be provided withdistortable lugs 68 for locking the bolt head within the square socket 60, so as to permit handling of the bolt 56 and hand wheel 59 as a unit. The locking latch 62 may be formed of sheetmetal, and the upper end of the spring 58 which coacts withthe latch 62 may be secured to the latch hub 64 as shown in order to permit the latch 62 and spring 58 to be handled as a unit during assembhr and dismantling. In order to permit the latch 62 to be inserted and removed, the coupling member 46 is provided with a slot 69 within which the locking portion 63 is normally located, and the spring 58 is normallyconfined within the member 46 between the plate 53 and the latch hub 64.

During normal use of the modified coupling shown in Figs. '7 to inclusive, and assuming the structure to have been properly constructed, assembled and attached to draft bars 5|, 48, the spherical member 50 will be confined within the socket 41 of the member 46 as shown in Fig. 8. The latch 62 will 'then have its portion 63 in engagement with the adjacent teeth 6| of the handle 59, and the spring 58 will be functioning to retain the latch 62 in this position, and will also react against the plate 53so as to prevent jamming of the'ball within the socket 41. The ball member 59 will then be free to oscillate within the socket 41 during normal haulage of the trailer by the propelling vehicle. If it becomes desirable to adjust the position of the plate 53, so as to reduce the clearance between the ball member 50 and the socket 41, it is only necessary to rotate the hand wheel 59 without manually releasing the latch 62, thereby causing the teeth 6| to click over the latch portion 63 and simultaneously cause the plate 53 to move upwardly. If it becomes desirable to release the plate 53, then the latch 62 must be shifted against the action of the spring 58 to the position shown in Fig. 9. The hand wheel 59 and bolt 56 may may obviously be readily assembled or disman-I tied and may also be readilyadjustedto permit members, a screw bolt'having a turning element, 5 t

- ing position.

then be rotated in either direction, and by withdrawing the bolt 56 from within the nut 51, the plate 53 may obviously be entirely removed, thereby permitting removal of the ball from within the socket 41.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that our present invention provides an improved locking latch for coupling elements, which will positively prevent the elements of the coupling from separating during normal use of The latch may, however, be readily released to permit disconnection of the the assemblage.

coupling, but during normal use this latch will provide a positive lock and thus-insures maximum safety. The improved latch assemblage need not be manually operated when improving the union between the coupling elements, but will function automatically to prevent destruction of this union.

The improved jaw coupling specifically shown 3 in. Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive may obviously be readily attached to bumpers of different sizes and shapes, and both of the couplings shown permit limited respect to the draft element. The improved couplings have proven highly satisfactory in actual commercial use, and both assemblages universal movement of the trailer element with most efiicient functioning thereof, I r r It should berunderstood'that it is not desired to limit this invention on exact details of,

of cooperating. couplin andbeing rotatableto effect coupling. interconnection of said members, said turning element having an annular series of teeth revolvable about the bolt axis, a latch having a hub surrounding said bolt and alsohaving a locking portion engageable with said teeth to prevent unscrewing of said'bolt, and a spring. embracing said-bolt j within one of said members and coacting with said latch to constantly, urgethe same into lock- 2. In a coupling, a one-piece jaw member hav-' ing integral vertically separated'rear extensions and also having vertical guide grooves at its medial portion, a bolt having snugicoaction with and being fixed relative to said extensions, a ball element pierced by said bolt and being located between said extensions, collars embracing said bolt between each of said extensions and said ball element, a draft member detachably'swiv-- elled upon said ball element, another jaw member slldable in said grooves, and a' screw belt for sliding said other jaw member in said grooves.- 3. In a coupling, a one-piece jaw member hav-- ing integral vertically separated rear extensions] and also having vertical guide grooves at its medial portion, a bolt having snug coaction with and being fixed relative to said extensions, a

ball element pierced by said bolt and being 10- r v cated between said extensions, collars embrac- 1 ing said bolt between each of said extensions andsaid ball element, a draft member detach ably swivelled upon said ball element, another jaw member slldable in said grooves, a screw bolt for sliding saidother jaw member in said grooves, and means for positively locking said 2 bolt against unscrewing. I

4. In a coupling, a one-piece jaw member-having integral vertically separated rear extensions and also having vertical guide grooves at its medial portion, a bolt having snug coaction with and being fixed relative to said extensions, a Y

ball element pierced by said bolt and being located between said extensions, collars embrac ing said bolt between each of said extensions and said ball element, a draft member detachably swivelled'aupon said ball element, another jaw member slidable in said grooves, a screw bolt for sliding said other jaw member in said grooves, and a manually releasable latch for'locking-said bolt in'adjusted position. I

5. In a coupling, two coupling-members, a screw bolt having a gripping element for tuming the same to efl'ect interconnection of said members, said gripping element having a series of teeth, a latch having a lockingportion co-' operable with said teeth to lock said screw bolt against releasing movement relative to said memij bers, said latch being provided with an integral manipulating handle for disengaging said looking portion from said teeth, and a spring em-' bracing said screw'bolt and coacting with said latch to constantly urge the same into locking position. r

6. In 'a coupling, two coupling members, a screw bolt having a gripping element for turning the same to ellect coupling interconnection of said members, said gripping element being rotatableabout the bolt'axis and having an annular series'of end teeth closely adjacent to and radiating from said axis, a latch having a handie portion and a hub surrounding said bolt and being provided with a locking portion engageable with said teeth to prevent unscrewing of said bolt, said handle portion being manipulable v to effect release of said latchyand spring means urging said latch axially of the bolt and toward locking position.

10 members.

7'. In a coupling, a pair of jaw members movabletoward each other to engage a'transverse draft barfa screw bolt for moving said members to various positions of adjustment and'having a turning element provided'with' teeth, and a latch having a rigid releasing handle and a hub surrounding said bolt and also having a locking portion normally cooperable with said element teeth 'to prevent separation of said jaw JOEL R. THOR-P. STEEN STRAND. 

